Probation Officers Catch Man With Meth Lab Components, Hazmat Called For Cleanup
June 20, 2012
A Cantonment man on probation for having a meth lab was arrested on drug related charges Tuesday night when caught red-handed by probation officers with parts of seven different meth labs.
Robert Edward Raines, 49, was charged with possession of a listed chemical (hydrochloric gas). He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond on an additional violation of probation charge.
Tuesday evening, an Escambia County deputy and four probation officers went to Raines’ residence in the 1100 block of Muscogee Road for a residence check.
Inside the residence, they reported finding seven hydrochloric (HCL) gas generators, an item used in a step during the methamphetamine manufacturing process, according to an arrest report. Two HCL generators tested positive for the presence of active hydrochloric gas.
Other items commonly used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process were also found hidden in the clothes dryer and inside a stereo speaker, the report states.
Raines told deputies the items were leftover from the last time he was busted for a meth lab in his residence in February 2011. According to the report, deputies were certain they removed all meth lab related equipment from the house during the 2011 search and did not leave the HCL generators behind — including three of them found Tuesday night on the bathroom floor.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Hazmat team responded to the residence Tuesday night and disposed of all contaminated materials.
According to court records, Raines was on probation on charges related to his February 2011 meth lab.
Gulf Power Rates Lowered; Potential Nuclear Issue Remains Unresolved
June 20, 2012
State regulators on Tuesday approved a plan by Gulf Power Company to take advantage of low fuel costs and trim customers’ monthly electric bills by an average of nearly $10 a month. But the PSC did not resolve a controversy about a potential Gulf Power nuclear power plant site in North Escambia.
With no discussion, the Florida Public Service Commission unanimously agreed to reduce the fuel costs that are passed along to the utility’s customers. Gulf Power and other utilities have enjoyed relatively low prices for natural gas, which fuels many power plants.
The change will be noticeable for customers of Pensacola-based utility as fuel costs make up a major portion of monthly bill. Residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bills drop from $126.53 to $116.61.
“Our commission’s authority to adjust rates to reflect fuel cost savings protects customers, especially heading into the summer months when electricity use often increases to keep homes cool,” PSC Chairman Ronald Brisé said.
But regulators decided to delay a decision on a separate proposal from Gulf Power to allow it to collect money from customers related to the purchase of 2,700 acres for a potential nuclear power plant near McDavid. The PSC earlier this year rejected a Gulf Power proposal to build site costs into base electric rates, but Gulf Power is trying to convince regulators to reverse that decision.
Attorneys for consumers and business groups are fighting Gulf Power on the issue, with Joe McGlothlin, an attorney with the state Office of Public Counsel, telling the PSC on Tuesday that “you’ve heard it before”.
“An analysis of facts demonstrates Gulf Power doesn’t need the North Escambia site,” said McGlothlin, whose office represents consumers in utility issues.
But Gulf Power attorney Jeffrey Stone said the site is important to the utility because it could house a nuclear or other type of plant, is in the western part of Gulf’s service area and has good access to transportation.
“It’s the only property Gulf has that is suitable for all forms of future generation,” Stone said.
The proposal would have a small effect on customers’ bills — it would allow Gulf Power to collect slightly more than $2 million from customers in 2012, according to a company filing.
Commissioner Art Graham expressed concerns about not allowing Gulf Power to collect money for the site. Graham said it is difficult to try to find land for nuclear-power plants, particularly if they are near residential areas, and he doesn’t “want to see this opportunity go by the wayside.”
“Residential intrusion is something you want to avoid at all costs,” Graham said.
But Graham, McGlothlin and PSC staff also pointed to questions about another undeveloped site that Gulf Power has long owned in Caryville. Graham said he is concerned about adding the Escambia County site to the rate base in addition to the Caryville site.
The commission decided to put off a decision on the proposal until July 17 to allow more time to review some of the key issues.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured: Some of the property purchased by Gulf Power Company near McDavid that could potentially be used for a nuclear power plant in the coming years. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
U.S. Marshals Bust Escambia Sex Offender Trying To Bail Out 3rd Story Window
June 20, 2012
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested a convicted sex offender Tuesday who tried to elude them by jumping out of a third story window.
At 3:30 p.m., the task force knocked on the door of a room at a hotel located on the 8200 block of North Davis Highway attempting to arrest James Erik Cross. When task force officers from the U.S. Marshals and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office knocked,they immediately heard someone throw back drapes and quickly open the window. They forced the door open and found the 32-year old Cross halfway out of the window head first.
“As we approached the building we spoke about covering the window but because of the height we really felt it wasn’t necessary,” said Inspector Dominic Guadagnoli. “We figured if he tried (to jump out the window) the chase pretty much would end there nonetheless,” said Guadagnoli.
Some of the task force officers immediately ran to the outside but others inside were able to stop Cross before he could go any further. Cross was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed without any incident.
A woman also in the room was later released after questioning. Officers also found a substance believed to be heroin and multiple hypodermic needles, according to U.S. Marshals. No additional charges have been filed at this time.
Cross was booked into the Escambia County jail without bond for violation of probation and two counts of failing to register as a convicted sex offender. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Cross was originally convicted in Escambia County back in 1997 for sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age.
Century Considers Cutting Back Fence Heights To Cut Crime
June 20, 2012
The Town of Century may consider an ordinance that would cut back the the height allowed for privacy fences in the town — partially in an attempt to cut back on crime.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall said he wants the town council to consider adopting Escambia County’s fence ordinances. McCall said four Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies have asked him to consider the ordinance because it would be a “great help to them fighting crime”.
McCall said when a resident has a high, solid privacy fence in front of their home “they are hiding something”.
The mayor said Escambia County’s fence ordinance limits the height of a solid fence in front of a residence to three feet and a chain link to a four foot height. Escambia’s ordinance allows for a fence to be up to six feet high along the side and rear yard of a residence. To view Escambia County’s fence ordinance, click here.
The Century council is expected to discuss the fence ordinance at their next regular meeting on Monday, July 2.
Pictured: The Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
National Firefighter’s Group Fires Back, Calls PNJ Cartoon ‘Racist’
June 20, 2012
A major firefighters association is firing back at a Pensacola News Journal editorial cartoon that the group calls “racist”.
Last Saturday, the newspaper published the cartoon by Andy Marlette, that depicts two apparently white firefighters hosing down two black persons. The caption on the carton states: “Don’t worry, since they laid off all the journalists in Alabama we can get away with this kind of stuff again.”
The newspaper says the cartoon is an editorial depiction of an actual photograph from the 1960’s that was published in Life magazine that shows Birmingham, Ala., firefighters hosing down black marchers at a civil-rights march in Birmingham. The cartoon was inspired, the PNJ said, by an announcement that Advance Publications — owners of the Mobile-Press Register, The Birmingham News and The Huntsville Times, will lay off about 400 journalists and newsroom employees in the fall as they drop to a three day publication schedule — cutting back on the number of “watchdog” journalists.
But International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) President Harold Schaitberger calls the cartoon a “senseless, confusing and bigoted illustration that should have never reached print”. The IAFF represents over 300,000 professional firefighters and paramedics in the U.S. and Canada.
“Layoffs are never good. At their worst, they tragically hurt people who work for a living. From a business perspective, they can remove valuable experience and institutional knowledge from a work place. News Journal workers have suffered from layoffs in the past year. And the massive layoffs last week at newspapers owned by Advance Publications in Alabama that threw hard-working journalists and editors into the streets and out of jobs during a terrible economy is deeply disturbing. But none of that is an excuse to insult fire fighters — and it’s time for the illustrator and editors at the paper to stand up honorably and apologize for their ignorance,” Schaitberger said in a news release.
The PNJ is not apologizing; they are standing by the cartoon.
“It’s an editorial cartoon. It’s supposed to evoke an emotional response, it’s not supposed to be taken literally,” a statement released by PNJ Executive Editor Richard Schneider said.
The PNJ has offered the IAFF a chance to respond in a “Viewpoint” column in the newspaper and has invited readers to submit letters to editors.
FWC Considers Black Bear Plan
June 20, 2012
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will focus on conservation of the Florida black bear, the state’s largest land mammal, this week. They will consider taking final action on adopting the FWC’s first management plan for the black bear, which has rebounded from as few as 300 in the wild in the 1970’s to more than 3,000 today.
The goal of the 10-year plan is to “maintain sustainable black bear populations in suitable habitats throughout Florida for the benefit of the species and people.” Public input was invited and utilized in drafting the bear management plan and will be important to its implementation.
The seven bear management units created in the plan provide opportunities for public participation in decisions on managing local bear populations and reducing human-bear conflicts such as the one that occurred recently at a Cantonment apartment complex.
The Commissioners also will decide on removing the black bear from the state’s list of threatened species and adopting a new FWC rule making it illegal to harass, injure or kill a bear in Florida.
Pictured: A black bear wondered through a Cantonment apartment complex for days last month until it was captured and euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Fun Food: Artistic Summer Snack Attack
June 20, 2012
School’s out! One way to get creative with all this extra time and to eat nutritiously is to make and eat healthy snacks. Like an arts-and-crafts project, making a snack can be a great summertime activity. Bonus: the kids get to eat their artwork and you get to sneak nutritious foods into their day for a healthy diet.
Some works of art need the following elements:
- Foundation – slices of whole wheat bread, tortillas, English muffins, lettuce leaves, rice cakes, zucchini or cucumber rounds, apple or pineapple slices.
- Glue – peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, cheese spread, hummus, refried beans, low-fat yogurt, jam, pizza sauce, or low-fat ranch dressing.
- Bling – seeds, nuts, grapes, raisins, match stick carrots, olives, beans, low-fat granola, diced fruits and veggies.
Start from the foundation and work up to the bling. Create faces, animals, or landscapes. Let the plate be your canvas. It’s a great way to try a new food or sample a food prepared in a totally different way.
For other works of art, use toothpicks, skewers, popsicle sticks, or edible pretzel rods to make shish kabobs. Cut out cheese shapes with small cookie cutters and add to the stick alternating with cut up fruits and vegetables. Make a beautiful edible bouquet.
Kids are also more likely to enjoy new foods if they are served in fun containers. Try using mugs, champagne glasses, ice cream cones, or party hats.
Be sure to include nutritious foods from all the food groups as your artists create throughout the summer: load up on fruits and vegetables, incorporate whole grains, go lean on the dairy and protein.
No sitting around loading up on the unhealthy “junk” foods out of boredom this summer. The time for healthy edible snack art is now.
Cantonment Man Charged In Olive Road Store Burglary
June 20, 2012
A Cantonment men has been arrested in connection the burglary of an Olive Road convenience store.
Kenneth Lamar Grandison, age 44 of Hicks Street, was charged with felony criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied structure, possession of burglary tools with the intent to use, resisting arrest, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on an $18,000 bond.
He is accused of attempted to break into the TQ Mini Mart on Olive Road early Sunday morning. Grandison allegedly fled the area in an Oldsmobile that was spotted by deputies a short time later at Palafox and Olive roads. When deputies caught up with the vehicle, Grandison bailed out and ran, according to an arrest report. He was apprehended at gunpoint without incident in the backyard of a home on Whitehead Drive.
Deputies reportedly found drug paraphernalia and marijuana on Grandison’s person and burglary tools in his vehicle.
According to an arrest report, the glass was shattered in the front door of the business, and the door was destroyed in an attempt to pry it open, but it did not appear Grandison made entry into the building.
Santa Rosa Upgrades Recycling Program; No Need To Sort
June 20, 2012
Single stream or “single sort” recycling is now available in Santa Rosa County. Residents utilizing the public recycling areas or residential curbside recycling no longer need to separate or sort recyclables by type, but can collect and dispose of all recyclable materials in the same container. The recycling process is made possible by the recent contracting of recycling services with West Florida Recycling.
Accepted Recyclable Materials:
- Paper – all paper including office paper waste, shredded paper, hardback and paperback books, magazines, junk mail including envelopes, phone books, and pizza boxes.
- Glass – all glass except light blubs, plate glass or safety glass.
- Metal – All aluminum, tin and steel including tin cans, aluminum cans, aluminum foil, pie tins, cake tins, and empty aerosol cans.
- Plastic Containers – All plastic except Styrofoam and motor oil containers.
- Cardboard – all cardboard including pizza boxes. To help save space in the recycle bins, please break down or flatten all boxes.
Non-recyclable Materials
- Light blubs
- Styrofoam
- Motor oil containers
- Mylar – found in plastic balloons, chip bags, and candy bags
- Waxy Cardboard – found in milk cartons, orange juice cartons, wine boxes and waxy produce and seafood boxes.
- Any household garbage like food waste and diapers.
- Oil, gas, paint, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides and other household hazardous waste can be disposed of at no charge at the Household Hazardous Waste Center located at the entrance of the Central Landfill, 6337 Da Lisa Road in Milton, Monday- Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Recycling Tips
- Labels do not have to be removed from any containers.
- Containers do not need to be rinsed.
- Lids do not need to be removed from any containers.
- Pizza boxes with grease can be recycled.
- To help save space in the bins please break down or flatten all boxes.
- Recycle areas are not disposal areas for furniture or household garbage that is not recyclable material. Violators may be fined for illegal dumping.
As part of the contract, West Florida Recycling collects the material left at the 19 recycling drop off points throughout the county and purchases recycling material from the county. For more information on recycling and a list of recycling drop off locations visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/recycle.
Tanker Truck Wrecks, Burns On I-65 Near Atmore
June 19, 2012
A tanker truck carrying fuel burst into flames Tuesday in wreck on I-65 south of Atmore, sending a black cloud of smoke that could be seen for miles billowing into the evening sky.
Just before 7 p.m., the truck driver ran off southbound I-65 at about the 51 mile marker — about 3 miles south of the Poarch/Jacks Springs Road Exit.
The truck driver suffered only minor injuries, according to Alabama State Troopers. There were no other injuries in the single vehicle crash.
For about five hours after the crash, southbound interstate traffic was detoured along Highway 31 between Atmore and the Perdido exit. I-65 was reported to be open again by 12:14 a.m.
Further details, including the name of the driver, were not immediately released.
Pictured: A fuel tanker truck burns on I-65 south of Atmore Tuesday evening. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.